et and ct tissues

et simple squamous

• Single layer of flattened cells with disc-shaped nuclei and sparse cytoplasm

• Diffusion and filtration

• Present in the kidney glomeruli, lining of heart, blood vessels, lymphatic
  vessels, and serosae

et simple cuboidal

Single layer of cube-like cells with large, spherical central nuclei
• Function in secretion and absorption
• Present in kidney tubules, ducts and secretory portions of small glands, and
ovary surface

et columnar

Single layer of tall cells with oval nuclei; many contain cilia
• Goblet cells are often found in this layer
• Function in absorption and secretion
• Nonciliated type line digestive tract and gallbladder
• Ciliated type line small bronchi, uterine tubes, and some regions of the
uterus
• Cilia help move substances through internal passageways

et pseudostratified columnar

Single layer of cells with different heights; some do not reach the free surface
• Nuclei are seen at different layers
• Function in secretion and propulsion of mucus
• Present in the male sperm-carrying ducts (nonciliated) and trachea (ciliated)

et stratified squamous

Thick membrane composed of several layers of cells
• Function in protection of underlying areas subjected to abrasion
• Forms the external part of the skin’s epidermis (keratinized cells), and linings
of the esophagus, mouth, and vagina (nonkeratinized cells)

ct loose areolar

Gel-like matrix with all three connective tissue fibers
• Fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, and some white blood cells
• Wraps and cushions organs
• Widely distributed throughout the body

ct proper adipose

Reserves food stores, insulates against
heat loss, and supports and protects
• Found under skin, around kidneys,
within abdomen, and in breasts

ct loose reticular

Loose ground substance with reticular
fibers
• cells lie in a fiber network
• Forms a soft internal skeleton, or
stroma, that supports other cell types
• Found in lymph nodes, bone marrow,
and the spleen

ct dense regular

Parallel collagen fibers with a few
elastic fibers
• Major cell type is fibroblasts
• Attaches muscles to bone or to
other muscles, and bone to bone
• Found in tendons, ligaments, and
aponeuroses

ct dense irregular

irregularly arranged collagen fibers
with some elastic fibers
• Major cell type is fibroblasts
• Withstands tension in many directions
providing structural strength
• Found in the dermis, submucosa of
the digestive tract, and fibrous organ
capsules

ct hyaline cartilage

Chondrocytes lie in lacunae
• Supports, reinforces, cushions, and
resists compression
• Forms the costal cartilage
• Found in embryonic skeleton, the end
of long bones, nose, trachea, and
larynx

ct elastic cartilage

Maintains shape and structure while
allowing flexibility
• Supports external ear (pinna) and
the epiglottis

fibrocartilage

Provides tensile strength and
absorbs compression shock
• Found in intervertebral discs, the
pubic symphysis, and in discs of
the knee joint

ct bone (osseous tissue)

Supports, protects, and provides levers for
muscular action
• Stores calcium, minerals, and fat